Introducing ESWI

Introducing ESWI, the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza and other Acute Respiratory Viruses

About us

Our mission is to reduce the burden of major acute respiratory virus infections by fostering stakeholder communication and cross-disciplinary research in Europe.

Founded in 1992, The European Scientific Working Group on Influenza and other Acute Respiratory Viruses (ESWI) is a network organisation that aims to reduce the burden of influenza and other acute respiratory viruses in Europe.

At the core of the group are twelve leading scientific experts from different disciplines: virology, immunology, microbiology, epidemiology, mathematical modelling, paediatrics and family medicine. ESWI is a partnership of these scientific experts, working in close collaboration with organisations of public health officials, healthcare professionals, and high-risk groups. Our collective aim is to reduce the number of casualties caused by respiratory viruses (influenza, RSV and COVID-19), by fostering cross-disciplinary research and by focusing on stakeholder communication to raise awareness and cooperation, particularly in the fight against epidemics and pandemics caused by viruses.

Our  scientists recognise that they have a moral duty to advance research and drive innovation to help reduce the burden of influenza and other contagious viral respiratory diseases in society. Influenza vaccines

can be life-saving for patients at risk and not giving antivirals to critical patients can be fatal. And yet, in Europe, seasonal influenza claims more lives than traffic accidents. ESWI therefore believes that experts must continue to work hard to explain the importance  of influenza control, prevention and treatment to the general public. Accordingly, the burden of disease caused by RSV, especially among children and older adults as well as how to mitigate the risk deserves more attention and awareness raising. And we should be clear about the scientific uncertainties too. After all, research on viruses is a moving target. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the devastating health, social and economic effects a virus can cause, and hence there is a  need for an increased and continued collaboration to stem and prevent future outbreaks.

To voice these scientifically sound messages, the ESWI network develops tailor-made tools and for this effort, we are fortunate to be able to rely on various partnerships and financial resources to fund our projects. However, under all circumstances, ESWI remains an independent organisation of sociallyconcerned members and partners. None of our members receives monetary compensation for ESWI work. ESWI’s partners all share the objective to improve public health protection against acute respiratory viruses, making the ESWI network a unique and effective organisation to address influenza, RSV and COVID-19 issues.

ESWI Board Members

The European Scientific Working Group on Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses is a network led by twelve key scientific experts from different disciplines:

Dr. Ab Osterhaus

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER CHAIR HANNOVER, GERMANY

Dr. Colin Russell

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER VICE-PRESIDENT AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Dr. Ted van Essen

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER TREASURER AMERSFOORT, THE NETHERLANDS

Associate Members (non-voting)

Dr. Claude Hannoun PARIS, FRANCE

Dr. Ursula Kunze VIENNA, AUSTRIA

Dr. Bram Palache AMSTELVEEN, THE NETHERLANDS

Dr. Sylvie van der Werf PARIS, FRANCE

Dr. Susanne Herold GIESSEN, GERMANY

Dr. Gülsah Gabriel HAMBURG, GERMANY

Dr. Marco Goeijenbier AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Dr. Ed Hutchinson GLASGOW, UK

Dr. George Kassianos LONDON, UK Dr. Florian Krammer NEW YORK, USA

Dr. Stefania Maggi PADOVA, ITALY

Dr. Peter Openshaw LONDON, UK

Dr. Roman Prymula PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Dr. Paula Tähtinen TURKU, FINLAND

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■ Age Platform Europe ■ Asia Pacific Alliance for the Control of Influenza (APACI) ■ European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (EAACI)

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■ European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID)

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International Diabetes Federation-Europe (IDF-Europe)

International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM)

Pandemic Action Network

Ready2Respond

World Organization of Family Physicians (WONCA)

Our activities

ESWI INFLUENZA CONFERENCE

■ Largest European-based influenza conference

■ Held every two years

■ Assembles the most renowned scientists and experts from a multitude of fields to showcase recent advances in basic science, to stimulate the scientific debate and to identify new research routes

■ Includes the popular Science and Policy Interface (SPI) track, a delineated programme track for public health officials and policy makers.

■ The SPI track ‘translates’ the newest scientific data and presents good practices about influenza and other respiratory viral policy measures and recommendations

RESPIRATORY VIRUS SUMMIT

Where science meets policy

■ The tailor-made Science and Policy Interface event

■ Held every two years

■ Important fora where policy makers engage with scientific experts to advance evidence-based public health policy measures

■ Aims to bring respiratory virus prevention strategies and new exciting developments in the field to the fore

SCIENTIFIC R UND TABLE

SCIENTIFIC ROUNDTABLES

■ Bi-annual exclusive events with our coalition and industry partners, topics to be determined by our scientists

■ Raise issues and engage in discussions of interest to ESWI stakeholders, coalition partners and sponsors (diagnostics, treatment options, advances, vaccination strategies, pandemic preparedness and risk group perspectives)

ESWI WEBINAR SERIES

■ Exciting scientific webinars featuring distinguished guests and experts in their field

■ Organised throughout the year on current, relevant respiratory viral topics of interest and new breakthroughs

ESWI AIRBORNE: PODCAST SERIES

■ Podcast series managed by the ESWI Secretariat and hosted by an experienced writer and editor

■ Features ESWI Board Members and invited guests and experts on acute respiratory virus infections

■ Raises awareness on the burden of the disease and addresses FAQ

FLUZINE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

■ Our newsletter disseminates news and keeps a total of approximately 20 000 subscribers up to date on new developments on a regular basis

EDUCATION

WEBSITE

In-depth and comprehensive source of information includes:

■ Education hub

■ Repository of publications, bestpractices and educational tools

■ Information on current and upcoming events

■ Library of past events, reports, recaps of podcasts, webinars and conferences

ESWInfluenza ESWInfluenza company/eswi

Risk Group Outreach

In 2017 leading diabetes organisations and the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) joined forces to forge an active Influenza-Diabetes Community (IDC) to raise awareness of the impact of influenza on people living with diabetes.

The IDC is a unique community that has continued to grow and expand its membership.  ESWI serves as its Secretariat and IDC is chaired by ESWI Board Member, Marco Goeijenbier.  The IDC is open to new supporters and members that share the IDC vision and mission.

VISION

“Optimal care for, and prevention of, respiratory virus infections in people living with diabetes.”

MISSION

“To increase awareness, within the care community, of the burden of influenza, COVID-19 and RSV in people living with diabetes. To ensure access to care, and to ensure the translation of scientific data supporting clinical recommendations for effective protection from infection and disease, including non-pharmaceutical measures, vaccination and anti-viral treatment.”

Nurturing future scientists

for

YOUNG SCIENTIST

INNOVATION VACCINE

AWARD

■ The award is named in honour of Prof. Em. Claude Hannoun, a founding father of ESWI

■ To advance research by young scientists, ESWI gives an award for the most promising body of work. The competition is open to all young scientists throughout the world, and is judged and reviewed by the ESWI Board of Directors.

■ The Claude Hannoun prize for Best Body of Work winner receives:

■ a cash prize of €10,000

■ an invitation to speak at an ESWI Conference

■ The Young Scientist Vaccine Innovation Award is an award recognising exceptional research by a promising young scientist in the field of influenza vaccine development.

■ The Young Scientist Vaccine Innovation Award Winner receives:

■ a cash prize of €10,000

■ an invitation to speak at an ESWI Conference

ESWI supports and encourages Young Scientists by offering grants for the conferences, creating networking opportunities, giving them the floor through oral presentations and co-chair lectures and awarding prizes to the best young scientists.

Where to find us

ON THE WEB www.eswi.org ON SOCIAL MEDIA ESWInfluenza ESWInfluenza company/eswi

IN REAL LIFE ESWI SECRETARIAT Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155 1040 Brussels info@eswi.org